To celebrate the first national Seniors' Day, a Sheshan mountain-climbing race was hosted in Sheshan National Forest Park, Shanghai, on October 13.

The race was themed 'Double Ninth Festival, Happy Forever' and attracted over 1,000 senior citizens from Shanghai.

Before the race, Chen Hao, vice-Party chief of the district of Songjiang, Shanghai, delivered a welcome speech. Officials also handed out gym bags to the 35 teams of climbers.

Cheng Yafei, Party chief of the district of Songjiang, announced the kickoff of the mountain-climbing race.

After the race, every participant got free tickets to two famous scenic spots in Shanghai, Songjiang Square Pagoda Park and Zuibai Pond, from the organizer.

This event was co-organized by the Shanghai Municipal Committee on Aging, Shanghai Municipal Sports Bureau and Songjiang People's Government.

The Double Ninth Festival, the ninth day of the ninth lunar month, fell on October 17 this year. On that day, it is customary to climb a high mountain, drink chrysanthemum tea and wear the zhuyu plant.

The Chinese government has made the festival a day to honor senior citizens since 1989, but this year's Seniors' Day was the first time the holiday has been observed since it was written into a revised law to protect the rights and interests of the elderly.

Officials from the district of Songjiang, announced the kickoff of the mountain-climbing race.

35 teams of climbers from Shanghai participated the the mountain-climbing race.

By Huang Pei

Edited by Michael Thai